‍Microsoft Sued in Australia Over Alleged Hidden Plans and AI Copilot Price Hikes Microsoft faces a lawsuit in Australia, accused by the ACCC of misleading 2.7 million subscribers about cheaper Microsoft 365 options. The regulator alleges the company concealed lower-priced plans after integrating its AI assistant, Copilot, leading to price increases of up to 45%. The ACCC claims Microsoft failed to disclose "Classic" Microsoft 365 plans, which offered original features without Copilot at a lower price. These were allegedly hidden deep within account settings. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb stated, "We will allege in Court that Microsoft deliberately omitted reference to the Classic plans... to increase the number of consumers on more expensive Copilot-integrated plans." This case, alongside a U.S. class-action lawsuit, highlights growing scrutiny over Microsoft's AI-driven pricing and transparency.
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Microsoft Sued in Australia Over Hidden 365 Plans and AI Copilot Price Hikes
Microsoft is facing a significant lawsuit in Australia, accused by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of deliberately mislea...
‍HashKey CEO: Cross-Jurisdictional Regulation and AI Crucial for Digital Finance HashKey Exchange CEO Ju Haiyang highlighted the importance of cross-jurisdictional regulatory collaboration and AI integration for digital finance evolution. Speaking at Reuters NEXT Gulf 2025, he stressed these are fundamental for a robust digital asset ecosystem. Ju noted HashKey's licenses in six key jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Dubai, and Singapore, positioning it as a compliant leader in Asia. He praised the Middle East's progressive approach to stablecoins and STOs. HashKey is also developing a cross-border network connecting Southeast Asia and the Gulf, emphasizing AI's role in innovation, risk management, and market integrity.
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HashKey CEO: Cross-Jurisdictional Regulation and AI Crucial for Digital Finance
HashKey Exchange CEO Ju Haiyang recently highlighted cross-jurisdictional regulatory collaboration and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (...
‍Argentina's Midterm Elections Bolster Pro-Crypto President Milei Javier Milei's crypto-friendly party, La Libertad Avanza, secured a decisive victory in Argentina's midterm elections, strengthening his position for the 2027 presidential race and his push for digital asset integration. The party won 40.68% of the vote, including the Buenos Aires province. This success follows a $20 billion currency swap with the US and Milei's administration's legalization of contracts settled in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies since December 2023. However, Milei's past involvement in the Libra token scandal, which saw the token crash by 94% after his social media mention, has impacted public perception, with a recent poll showing 63.2% viewing him negatively. Despite this, the electoral win provides a renewed mandate for his free-market and crypto-adoption agenda.
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Milei
Argentina
‍Bitcoin Soft Fork Proposal Sparks Outrage Over "Legal Threats" A new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) by developer Luke Dashjr, aimed at restricting data in BTC transactions, has caused controversy. The proposal includes wording interpreted by many as a legal threat against those who oppose it, sparking accusations of an "attack on Bitcoin." Critics argue the language contradicts Bitcoin's permissionless nature. However, some suggest the wording warns of potential criminal liability for processing illicit content. Technical challenges and economic incentives for malicious actors also remain concerns, potentially impacting the proposal's effectiveness and the future of Bitcoin's protocol development.
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Bitcoin Soft Fork Sparks Outrage Over "Legal Threats" in Developer Proposal
A new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) for a soft fork, introduced by core developer Luke Dashjr, has ignited a fierce debate within the cryptocu...
‍AI Uncovers Critical Flaws in Early Mt. Gox Codebase Years After Devastating Hack Anthropic's Claude AI has analyzed the early codebase of the infamous Mt. Gox cryptocurrency exchange, initiated by former CEO Mark Karpelès. The AI concluded the platform was "critically insecure" from its inception, highlighting flaws like weak passwords and retained admin access that contributed to the 2011 hack. The analysis revealed that while the developer showed strong architectural skills, critical vulnerabilities were present. The AI's post-mortem detailed issues including code flaws, lack of documentation, weak credentials, and retained administrative access post-ownership transfer. Despite some mitigating factors implemented before and after the breach, fundamental issues stemmed from poor internal processes and human error.
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AI Uncovers Critical Flaws in Early Mt. Gox Codebase Years After Devastating Hack
The infamous Mt. Gox cryptocurrency exchange
‍Bitplanet Targets 10,000 BTC Treasury with Daily Acquisitions South Korean firm Bitplanet is implementing a daily Bitcoin acquisition strategy, aiming for a 10,000 BTC treasury. The company recently purchased 93 BTC and plans to allocate an additional $40 million. This move aligns with a broader trend of corporate treasury integration of digital assets. Bitplanet is preparing for South Korea's "Digital Asset Basic Act," set to take effect in 2027, with implementation framework in June 2025. The company adheres to strict financial guidelines to ensure regulatory compliance.
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Bitplanet
South Korean publicly listed firm Bitplanet has embarked on a strategic daily Bitcoin (BTC) acquisition program, aiming to establish a substantial ...
‍Iranian Bank Failure Ignites Crypto Debate The bankruptcy of Ayandeh Bank, affecting over 42 million customers, highlights the risks of fractional reserve banking and strengthens the case for decentralized alternatives like cryptocurrency. The bank collapsed with $5.1 billion in losses and $3 billion in debt, leading to its closure across 270 branches. This event echoes the principles behind Bitcoin's creation and recent crises like the US local banking failures of early 2023, which saw a Bitcoin price rally. Iran's financial system faces broader issues, with eight other banks at risk amid international sanctions that restrict access to global financial networks and dollar transactions, further devaluing the Iranian rial. Despite challenges in its crypto sector, such as the $81 million Nobitex hack, the underlying philosophy of decentralized finance gains traction in environments where traditional systems are perceived as unstable.
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Iranian Bank Failure Affects 42M, Reigniting Debate on Crypto
The recent bankruptcy of Ayandeh Bank, one of Iran’s largest private lenders, has left over 42 million customers affected, with its assets being ...
‍Zcash (ZEC) Surges 30% Following Arthur Hayes' $10K Prediction Zcash has seen a remarkable 30% surge in the past 24 hours after prominent crypto entrepreneur Arthur Hayes predicted a $10,000 price target for the privacy-focused cryptocurrency. This endorsement fueled significant market activity, driving ZEC from $272 to a peak of $355. Analysts attribute the rally to Hayes' influence and a growing investor interest in privacy-centric digital assets amid increased regulatory scrutiny. Zcash, launched in 2016, utilizes zero-knowledge proofs for shielded transactions, offering enhanced confidentiality. The token's market capitalization has now surpassed $5 billion.
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Zcash Surges 30% After Arthur Hayes
Privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash (ZEC) has experienced a remarkable surge, climbing 30% in the past 24 hours following a highly anticipated pre...
‍Australian FinTech Openmarkets Secures $50 Million for DeFi Expansion Australian FinTech Openmarkets Group has raised $50 million to expand into decentralized finance (DeFi) and global markets, targeting Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US. The funds will support the launch of cryptocurrency trading services and the tokenization of real-world assets. Openmarkets will also develop a digital custody solution for cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets. CEO Dan Jowett stated this funding will enable the creation of a secure platform for clients to participate in the evolving DeFi market.
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Australian FinTech Openmarkets Raises $50M for DeFi & International Growth
Australian financial technology infrastructure provider Openmarkets Group has successfully secured a $50 million funding round to propel its strate...
‍Western Union Pilots Stablecoin Settlement System for Remittance Modernization Global financial services leader Western Union is piloting a stablecoin-based settlement system to modernize its remittance business. CEO Devin McGranahan announced the initiative aims to leverage on-chain settlement channels to reduce reliance on correspondent banking, shorten settlement times, and improve capital efficiency. The passage of the GENIUS Act has apparently eased previous concerns regarding price volatility and regulatory uncertainty, enabling Western Union to explore blockchain technology and stablecoins. The company believes stablecoins can offer customers enhanced choice and control over fund management and transfers. This pilot underscores Western Union's commitment to innovation and the transformative potential of blockchain technology for faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border payments.
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Western Union Pilots Stablecoin Settlement System for Remittance Modernization
Global financial services leader Western Union is actively piloting a stablecoin-based settlement system as part of a strategic initiative to moder...